Nostalgia-based travel, also known as “Time Travel,” is a leading trend in tourism as travelers are seeking vacations that take them back to storied times and fond memories. These luxury hotels around the world transport guests to bygone eras through immersive experiences, design, and more.
Travelers can experience a colorful, 60s-inspired stay at one of Scottsdale, Arizona’s favorite hotels, admire Old Hollywood elegance in Southern California, revisit the Roaring Twenties in Chicago and Long Beach, CA, or return to summer camp life in picturesque Northern California and upstate New York. Discerning guests will also love the 19th and early 20th century glamour found in coastal France and Italy.
Relish in the Return of the ‘Grand Tour’ at Hotel Santa Caterina
Opened in 1904 by Dr. Giuseppe Gambardella, Hotel Santa Caterina evokes the glamour of a bygone era in which it was once a coveted stop along the ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe, for aristocrats looking to indulge in art, antiquities and architecture. Over the last century, the historic villa has welcomed generations of guests and cemented its stellar reputation as the much acclaimed “home of hospitality” on the Amalfi Coast. Today, the 2 Michelin Key-awarded hotel is still owned and operated by the Gambardella family, with its early 20th-century charm now enhanced by contemporary comforts. The 66 rooms and suites, and private Villas della Marchesa, are imbued with local design elements such as Murano glass chandeliers, Cassina furniture, and vibrant Vietri tiling which speak to the hotel’s timeless beauty and elegance. Those drawn to the romance and allure of the ‘Grand Tour’ days will delight in the luxurious amenities on property that encourage guests to embrace ‘il dolce far niente’ - whether that be whiling away languid afternoons at the hotel’s Beach Club set just above the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, indulging in an ‘Oro di Amalfi’ massage using local Sfusato Amalfitana lemons, or enjoying seasonal Mediterranean gastronomy at Michelin-starred ‘Glicine’ restaurant.
Belle Époque Beauty at Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
A jewel of the French Riviera, Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel has remained a place where history is endlessly written. Revered by cinema stars, creatives, and presidents for decades, the property reopened in March 2023 as part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, after undergoing a bold yet meticulous reimagination by renowned designer Tristan Auer. Known as the ‘Grande Dame of Cannes,’ its majestic Belle Époque façade—framed by twin domes—is one of the few landmark hotels recognizable from the air. Spanning its own beachfront block along the iconic La Croisette, the hotel offers unbeatable access to in-the-know experiences, indulgent amenities, and tip-top service. The property’s 332 rooms and suites offer classic interiors that embody the elegance of the Riviera, many with sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. Following a day of sunbathing at the Carlton Beach Club or pampering at Le C Club Spa, guests can retire to Bar °58 for classic aperitifs, or celebrate the culinary arts at one of the hotel’s restaurants - Riviera, an inventive Mediterranean brasserie; Rüya, for contemporary Anatolian classics; or Camélia Tea Lounge for a wide selection of teas and exceptional pastries.
Renaissance-Style Glamour in the French Countryside: InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal
Nestled in the heart of the enchanting Chantilly Forest, InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal, a transformed 19th-century château, evokes Renaissance-era glamour, in close proximity to the cosmopolitan center of Paris. No matter the season, InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal glows from within, offering exceptional on-site dining experiences, warming fireplaces, and a design blending historic charm with modern luxury. For a truly magical meal, Le Stradivarius – once the library and smoking room of the château’s original owner, offers an intimate ambiance with classic French cuisine reimagined with a contemporary flair. Guests will dine by a crackling fireplace, surrounded by rich wooden finishes – the dreamiest regal atmosphere. For an equally enchanting dining experience, L’Opéra, set beneath the warm glow of majestic chandeliers in the château’s former music salon, offers the region's finest seasonal ingredients, presented in creative yet timelessly refined culinary masterpieces by leading Chef Cédric Jean-Charles. For those longing to step into their own storybook Renaissance getaway, InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal offers an escape worthy of nobility—where the spirit of historic grandeur meets the splendor of present-day comforts.
Step into 1920s magnificence at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
Situated in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the iconic Breakers has graced the skyline since 1926, offering a vibrant coastal getaway complete with bygone era glamour. Fairmont Breakers Long Beach has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur to reimagine 1920s magnificence with a contemporary twist – complete with art-deco inspired interiors, world-class amenities, immersive dining concepts and exquisitely designed guest rooms and suites.
The hotel’s vintage charm and modernity intersect with thoughtful odes to its historic past woven through thoughtful design accents, original fixtures, art and curated guest experiences. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the hotel offers five chef-driven culinary destinations serving elevated coastal cuisine and craft cocktails – with the notable return of the destination’s iconic restaurant, Sky Room, a revitalization of a storied haunt for the Hollywood stars of yesteryear, such as Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, and more. The property’s jazz lounge, Alter Ego, transports guests back in time with live entertainment and beloved classic cocktails.
Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel invites travelers to experience the intrigue and glamour of Chicago’s renowned Prohibition era. As North America’s longest-operating hotel, Palmer House once played a role in the city’s legendary speakeasy scene. Its underground tunnels—now closed—were once rumored to be used for secret liquor transportation. Today, that secretive spirit remains to be discovered at Potter’s Bar, the hotel’s speakeasy-inspired lounge, paying tribute to the notorious era. Dimly lit and decorated with Prohibition era photographs, Potter’s Bar offers a taste of the past through craft cocktails infused with illicit spirits–including perfected takes on the Chicago Fizz and Whiskey Smash. Beyond Potter’s Bar, guests of Palmer House can experience the era’s old-time glamour by visiting the opulent lobby–a gilded cultural landmark– featuring a grand travertine double staircase, golden accents, glistening 24-karat gold Tiffany & Co. candelabras, and a magnificent frescoed ceiling by Louis Pierre Rigal. Visitors of Palmer House will immediately be transported to an era characterized by timeless elegance, mystique, and grandeur.
Experience Decades of Iconic History and Old Hollywood Glamour at The Beverly Hilton and La Mamounia
Nestled between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards, the historic Los Angeles landmark The Beverly Hilton has been home to Hollywood glamour for decades – the site for countless iconic pop-culture happenings, and, most notably, the host of the annual Golden Globe Awards. After opening its doors in 1955, the hotel has welcomed Hollywood's biggest stars throughout the years from Audrey Hepburn to Frank Sinatra to President John F. Kennedy, memorialized through the vintage photographs lining the walls. Celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year, the hotel offers guests the chance to feel like a star with exclusive guest experiences and homages to the hotel’s years of history – from guided tours, vintage car service, limited-time menus of classic cocktails, retro-themed film pop-ups, and even an section of the 2025 Golden Globes Red Carpet for photo-ops. The ‘Golden Getaway Package’ is an ode to the hotel’s iconic ties to Hollywood’s Golden Age – those who book the package can explore the city in style with an included rental of a luxury vintage car from Hollywood Classic Cars’ elevated Private Collection. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable day of coasting through the city’s scenic routes and exploring Los Angeles’ cinematic landmarks behind the wheel of a 1950’s Corvette or a 1960’s Cadillac.
La Mamounia has remained a blueprint of luxury since its beginnings over 100 years ago. Sir Winston Churchill, a frequent visitor of the hotel, once called it “the most lovely spot in the whole world.” His love of the palace entitled him to lend his name the Churchill Suite, which highlights the union of British character and the Moroccan way of life. Additionally, La Mamounia’s Le Churchill Bar, is a sophisticated establishment oozing British refinement in an intimate atmosphere. International stars like Charlie Chaplin, Francis Ford Coppola, and Marcello Mastroianni, frequented La Mamounia after several scenes of Albert Hitchcock's famous film, The Man Who Knew Too Much, were shot across the property. Iconic rock bands including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, have also stayed at La Mamounia. “Mamunia,” which translates to “safe haven” in Arabic, was a song written by Paul McCartney following his visit to the property in 1973. During the 1960s, Jacques Majorelle, a French orientalist painter, was integral to the extensive renovations across La Mamounia in 1946. An ode to Jacques, the onsite Le Bar Majorelle features classic Parisian dishes by renowned chef Pierre Hermé. The Majorelle Suite is intricately adorned with blue, Jacques’ favorite color.
Go Back in Time to The ‘60s with The Historically Hip Hotel Valley Ho
Originally opened on December 20, 1956, and situated in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho transports guests into the times of yesteryear as one of the best-preserved mid-century modern, Southwestern hideaways in the country. Today, travelers can discover desert sunset-inspired hues with pops of bold colors and terrazzo countertops – a quintessential mid-century modern design element – in each of Valley Ho’s accommodations; the coolest rooms and suites in town.
ZuZu’s, a neighborhood favorite and contemporary-sleek lounge, offers a delightfully eclectic menu for dinner, while OH Pool, which was voted as one of the “World’s Coolest Pools” by Travel + Leisure, invites guests to relax in a retro chaise lounge, cool off in a private shaded cabana, or savor cocktails and light poolside fare under swaying palm trees. The property’s vintage furnishings coupled with modern details collectively allow travelers to step back in time, reminiscent of old-school glamour.
